Chapter Six
Josiah shifted from one foot to the other as he waited for his turn at the ticket booth. He read the chalkboard departure list again and was satisfied with the decision he had made for his brothers. There was a late train leaving at eleven that night with its final destination being Independence, Missouri. That was the train he and his brothers would be on when it left Boston.
He had read all about Independence, being the staging place for all points west. It would be a great place for him and his brothers to purchase a wagon and other items they would need to purchase a wagon and other items they would need to continue further west to find land they could claim as their own.
When his turn came, Josiah stepped up to the ticket window and smiled a the pretty young woman behind the counter, "Morning,"
"Morning," she greeted him gaily, "How can I help you sir?"
He leaned down, and in a low voice, whispered, "How much does a ticket for a baby cost?"
"Children under the age of five ride for free as long as they are accompanied by an adult."
"I need six tickets for the eleven o'clock train leaving tonight for Independence, Missouri."
"That will be thirty dollars."
Josiah blinked at the sum, but didn't speak. He withdrew the roll of bills from his pocket, counted out the exact amount, and handed the money to the ticket agent. He watched patiently as she printed out the tickets, including the pass he would need to show the conductor for JD.
He left the train station a short time later with the tickets tucked safely away in his pocket. His pace was light, but hurried, eager as he was to return to the alley and tell his brothers they were leaving Boston for good that night.